St. Paul's Howards Grove Podcast

Epiphany Moments: God delivers more, not less._ It is easy for us to assume that if God says “no” to a request…we are getting less than we wanted. We need to have an epiphany moment, seeing the reality…that God always wants more for us than we want from him. Saying “yes” to all our requests would often result in us receiving less joy, less blessing, a lesser life. So, when God says “no” to our request…we can be assured it is because he wants to give us more. Far more than existing as a “help desk” or 911 dispatch…God's love for us is like that of a groom for his bride. His love for us exceeds all expectation and understanding. In that love, God always delivers more than we ask…not less.

This weekend, we begin a new series: Epiphany moments. God chose a childless old man to be the father of a great nation? He chose the younger brother, Jacob the deceiver, to inherit the blessing over the first-born, Esau? God chose a stammering fugitive with blood on his hands to be the prophet who would lead his people out of slavery? God operates in ways that we wouldn't have imagined, yet in just the way that we so desperately needed. Today, we consider God's choice of Israel's new king, his approval of his Son, the Christ, and also his choice in saving you and me – not by anything we had done – rather by his mercy and his Spirit and his washing. Let's marvel at the Lord's unexpected choice! Our sermon comes from Luke 3.

_The Gift of God: a gift for all people._ For centuries, God had given special attention to one nation…Israel. There were Jewish religious leaders who taught that only members of that special people would be saved. Not according to the Christmas angel! The birth of the Savior was good news for all people. When the Savior was born, he was first revealed to Israelites: the shepherds, Simeon, Anna. But today…we see the Lord miraculously guides foreigners across countless miles so the Savior could be revealed to them as well. How did the magi respond? _“They were overjoyed”_ (Matthew 2:10). We Gentiles (non-Jews) rejoice in the good news that this Jewish baby is not just a gift for the Jews. He is a gift for all people…the Savior of the world.

The Gift of God: both substitute and sacrifice._ The Son of God took on flesh for two reasons: to be our substitute and our sacrifice. Jesus is the only human being to keep all of God's law perfectly. He did that as our substitute. Through faith, we claim his perfection as our own. But we needed another gift…one who could pay for the sin we had committed. And so, the Son of God became human for another reason…so that he might die as the sacrifice for our sins, removing that barrier between us and a holy God. Understanding we needed both…substitute and sacrifice…helps us to better understand Jesus' saving work. That work includes more than Jesus' death on the cross.

Come and see what God has done! From the beginning, God spoke, and creation sprang into existence. Everything was made perfect, and man walked with God. Yet, in love, God foreknew the fall, and before the foundations of the world, He prepared for our salvation. Today, we gather to remember God's perfect plan—a plan fulfilled in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and a plan that continues as we wait for his return. Christmas at St. Paul's features the children, choirs, instrumentalists, and teens of our congregation as we use our gifts to God's glory in sharing the message of Christmas. The devotion will be based on Matthew 1.

A Real Christmas: results in great joy._ We all need a real Christmas…one that results in great joy. But joy is not the same thing as happiness. It is infinitely better. Happiness is an emotion. Joyfulness is a condition. Happiness comes from your circumstances. Joyfulness comes from Christ assuring you of his abiding love and your glorious future. Therefore, happiness – “holiday cheer” – is fleeting. Joyfulness is enduring. The historic Christian Church gave Latin titles to each Sunday. They titled the Third Sunday in Advent “Gaudete”…which means “Rejoice!” As we reach the midway point of Advent…we ask Christ to empower us to do just that.

A Real Christmas: rooted in repentance. The closer we get to Christmas, the greater the pressure. There is so much work to be done! We want our houses to look good for guests. We want to impress people with the thoughtfulness of our gifts. What a welcome relief, therefore, to hear what is required to really be ready for Christmas: only repentance. Repentance is actually the opposite of work for us. It is the admission of our sin combined with the trust that Christ has already accomplished everything needed to bring us close to God. At this busy time of year, the call to repent is not a demand to do more. It is a gracious invitation to set down our work and look to Christ's work. Then we can fully enjoy a real Christmas. Our sermon comes from Philippians 1.

_A Real Christmas: remembers why Christ came._ Why did the Son of God come into our world and take on human flesh? So that he might die as the sacrifice for our sins. Advent marks the start of a new Church Year. We begin at the end…watching Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey colt, knowing full well that he would be killed before the end of the week. The events of Palm Sunday serve as a microcosm for all Jesus' work…proving the Son of God was willing to humble himself and endure anything for our salvation. That is precisely why Christ came. And a real Christmas requires remembering why Christ came.

Live Like You'll Live Forever: a life of thanksgiving. One of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the New World occurred in 1621, when the Plymouth colonists from England shared an autumn harvest feast with the Native American Wampanoag people. In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. In 1942, President Roosevelt solidified it as the last Thursday of every November. Though not a festival of the church calendar, Christians for generations have found it appropriate to gather for worship this week to give thanks to the LORD: our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. Our sermon today comes from Philippians 4.

_Live Like You'll Live Forever: with your eyes on the skies._ “Eyes on the prize.” That axiom stresses that when pursuing some good goal…focus is important. You don't want distractions of a lack of self-discipline to keep you from obtaining whatever that prize might be. The prize that we want most is spending eternity with Jesus. As the Church Year comes to a close, Jesus promises that he will come again “in clouds with great power and glory” to give us the prize. That prize will be so unbelievably good…it is worth fixating on. Let us be ready. Let us keep watch. Let us live with our eyes on the skies.

Live Like You'll Live Forever: free from fear of judgment. Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) affects many millions of adults. They struggle with everyday tasks like talking to people at work or school out of terror that they are constantly being evaluated. Even if you don't have that disorder, perhaps you have experienced the uncomfortable feeling that others are looking for something to criticize about you. How do we overcome the fear of judgment? It begins by realizing that there is only one person whose opinion ultimately matters—the Judge. Where you spend eternity depends on Jesus' judgment. This week we see why his judgment need not trigger any sort of anxiety. Judgment day is something we can joyfully anticipate. Our sermon today comes from Daniel 12.

Live Like You'll Live Forever: offering everything to the Lord. God had commanded his Old Testament people to tithe as part of their offerings to him. It can be easy for us to get caught up in percentages of how much of our money, our time, our energy we should give to the Lord. We only have a limited amount of those things, right? Don't we need to guard some for ourselves? The same God who has given us an infinite amount of time in his Son has all the resources in the world at his disposal to provide for us. May we gladly offer all that we have and are to him who has freely given us everything in Christ! Our sermon today is from 1 Kings 17.

_Live Like You'll Live Forever: knowing that life only gets better._ “It will get better.” We say that to someone who is having a bad day (or maybe a whole string of bad days). Perhaps tomorrow will be better. But perhaps it's worse. In this life…there really are no guarantees that things will get better. That isn't the case with the life that is to come. That life isn't just going to be better…it'll be perfect. Since the 7th century, Christians have marked a day to celebrate those who have died in faith and now realize the perfect joys of heaven. Today, we ask God to preserve us in our faith so that we might one day join the saints in that place where life is far more than better.

Live Like You'll Live Forever: confessing your faith with courage._ Living life according to God's Word is going to make one appear odd in the eyes of the world, perhaps even evil. So why not just stay silent if that makes life easier? Why not keep our faith private? Answer: because we are going to live forever. Since we know we are going to live forever in the perfection of heaven…we don't worry if being a witness for Christ brings hardship or even death. Luther knew that…thanks to Christ…he would live forever. So will we. Therefore, like Luther…let us live a life of courageous witness.

The Need for Followership: When the bathroom is all steamy after the morning shower, it can be impossible to see yourself in the mirror to get ready for the day – and then embarrassing to go about your day not knowing what you look like. It is even worse to go through life blind to God – it is deadly. Today's worship is about seeing ourselves and our complete dependence on God clearly. Then we go about each day by Spirit-worked and gospel-powered faith looking to Jesus. The steam scatters and we follow him, “Seeing the Lord by Faith”. Our sermon comes from Mark 10.

_The Need for Followership: treasure him most._ People think that establishing priorities is about ranking things in order of importance. But it is more than that. Without proper priorities…one inevitably will pursue _that which is nice_ while downplaying _that which is needed_. Throughout Scripture believers are urged to prioritize. Jesus calls for prioritization when he says, _“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness”_ (Matthew 6:33). Good news: followers of Christ treasure him most. Even better news: followers of Christ receive his forgiveness for all the times they haven't.

The Need for Followership: Love can cause harm. Consider the wife whose husband wants little to do with church. When he wants her and the children to stay home Sunday morning, she complies without protest to the spiritual detriment of the whole family. Or consider the father who loves his child so much that he gives the child everything that child asks for. That father's love is shaping that child to be a selfish, entitled adult. In our families, we need to love rightly, in a way that leads to blessings for those we claim to love. In Jesus we see perfect, self-sacrificial love: he loves us as we are, yet he also loved us too much to leave us as we are. In love he gave his life up so that we might be holy and blameless. He also shapes the way we love. Today we see that followers of Christ know how to love their families. Our sermon today is from Mark 10.

We need better leadership!” Have you ever said that? Jesus Christ is the leader of our congregation, our home, our lives. And his leadership is perfect in every way. Therefore, when things are amiss, what is needed is not better leadership...but better followership. In this series, we ask Christ to empower us with his Spirit so that we might better follow his lead. All music is covered for printing and streaming under: CCLI LICENSE #CSPL155743 ONE LICENSE #A-722076

Humility and pride are polar opposites. Pride exalts self at the expense of God and others. Humility exalts God and others at the expense of self. Pride is the essential vice, for it increases one's hunger for all other sins. Humility increases one's hunger for the forgiveness and healing found in Christ. The one who is proud demands to be served. The one who is humble is not content unless serving others. St. Augustine described it this way: “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” As we see all Christ did to serve us, our hearts melt. Within us grows a Christ-like obsession to serve others, without counting the cost, without any desire to be repaid. Those who are in positions of Christian leadership understand that their purpose is only achieved through service. For followers of Christ are humble servants. Our sermon comes from Mark 9.

The Need for Followership: armed against the devil. What is the worst war in human history? One might point to World War II…which has the highest death toll of at least 90 million people. Or the Three Kingdoms War…which not only resulted in over 40 million deaths but also lasted for most of the third century. There is no end to the sad list of nominations: the Thirty Years War…the Taiping Rebellion…the American Civil War…World War I. None of those is the correct answer. The worst war in human history has been raging since the first shot was fired in Eden. It is a war against “spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12). It is a war for souls. The reality is that there are demonic forces that want to do more than kill you; they want to claim you for all eternity. The good news: Christ has already called you his own and equipped you for this war. Followers of Christ are armed for the battle against the devil.

People do some pretty amazing things. Armand Duplantis broke the world pole vaulting record 3 times this year, clearing 20 ½ feet and clinching the gold medal in Paris. When we read of Jesus' miracles, we can be tempted to lump them in with any number of other human achievements, things that help for the here and now. But Jesus' healings soar far higher than other human feats. He raises the bar to a level only he can clear. His wonders signify that he is the one God promised to save us. The LORD had promised this hundreds of years before he was born. And even after he ascended into heaven, Jesus' name works powerfully to save from sin, death and hell. May the power of Jesus' name amaze us today as we follow him! Our sermon today comes from Mark 7.

We need better leadership!” Have you ever said that? Jesus Christ is the leader of our congregation, our home, our lives. And his leadership is perfect in every way. Therefore, when things are amiss, what is needed is not better leadership...but better followership. In this new worship series, we ask Christ to empower us with his Spirit so that we might better follow his lead. This Sunday will focus on how following Christ is not simply a matter of outward observance of laws. It is a matter of the heart. The Law was given so we could see God's heart and demonstrate how his heart has affected our own. The followership Christ seeks flows from hearts that have been radically transformed by God's law and gospel. May God grant this to us.

There are so many choices to make with food! Should I spend more money on organic or other options that are supposed to be healthier? Should I eat more small meals or fewer large meals? Which restaurant should I try for a special occasion? Should I stick with a see-food diet, or try something a little more regulated? Jesus made it clear that no one can choose to believe in him or come to him. That is the Father's work to draw us and Jesus' words from the Spirit to give us life and faith. Yet today, Jesus leads us to let all our choices as his followers bring us back to him. Where else would we go? “Stay with the Bread of Life.” Our sermon today comes from Hebrews 11.

The Bread of Life gives wisdom and life. Jesus overcomes the crowd's reluctance to see him as the heavenly gift-giver because of his humanity. He makes clear that the only way to receive those gifts is through the work of God drawing them. This spiritual food that Jesus describes is something no one finds appealing at first...but distasteful. And so today Jesus explains that we need God to work within us, so that we have the wisdom to see that this food gives life and the faith to find this bread most delicious. God has given us the Bread of Life...understanding this calls for the wisdom only the Triune God can give. Our sermon comes from John 6.

More than a third of all the food produced or imported in the United States goes to waste, much of which is due to expiration dates coming and going. All this costs the average American family over $1,500 per year. So much wasted food and money, effort and time! Yet it is even more costly when people go through life only working for food that spoils. Today, as Jesus talks to people in Capernaum and to us in Howards Grove, he shows us the eternal value of that which never expires. “Seek the Bread that Lasts.” Our sermon comes from John 6.

Ministry is when Jesus gives us some of his “stuff” so that we can give that “stuff” to others. When we meet the needs of those God brings into our sphere of influence...that's meaningful ministry. In the Word today...we are reminded that the one who provides it all stands by our side. Whether we see it or not (First Reading), whether other supports stand by us or not (Second Reading), whether we feel it or not (Gospel)...the Lord is with us. Meaningful ministry is built on this powerfully pictured truth. Through it all...the Lord is there. Jesus removes his disciples' fear by his comforting and powerful presence. Our sermon today comes from Mark 6.

When you go to the grocery store, what gets you excited? Is it the fresh fruits and veggies? The hearty meats or the flavorful breads? Maybe the chips or the candy section? There are so many choices in so many stores. Yet we owe it all to the Lord. There is no need to worry – only look to him. And there are so many opportunities to share with others – all because of his gracious hand. Today we worship our Lord who provides under this theme: “You Open Your Hand and Satisfy.” Our sermon comes from Psalm 145.

Summer is the time of year when many people try to get some time away and find a little rest and relaxation. Yet with this event and that trip they often find themselves even more tired than when they began. Today, Jesus offers his disciples rest after they returned from his mission to preach and heal from village to village. Yet this was so much more than a vacation. It was quiet time alone with him to be truly refreshed in their soul. Jesus still sends spiritual leaders to his people, and again to us this weekend “The Shepherd Offers Rest.” Our sermon today comes from Jeremiah 23.

When our God calls us to do ministry…he also gives us authority. We are sharing God's own authoritative Word. This is meaningful ministry as Jesus gives instructions for disciples. Our sermon today comes from Matthew 9-10.

We have had so many storms roll through our county this year! There were straight-line winds that shook houses and downed branches. There are ponds in places they are not supposed to be. Most of us can weather a little thunder and lightning. But when we're up to our necks in guilt and waves of temptation crash around us, when winds of helplessness howl and death strikes suddenly, where will we turn and who will rescue us? Only Jesus. He is “Our Courage in the Storm.” Our sermon today comes from Mark 4.

He had lost everything – even the shirt off his back – and was sold into slavery. How could that possibly have turned out well? Yet the Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered. And under his management, so did everything in his master's household. The circumstances we find ourselves in may lead us to ask how things could possibly turn out well. But the Lord has made us managers or stewards of all that he has entrusted to us: our time, our skills, our finances. He blesses us with far more than we deserve and has in store for us far more than we could have ever imagined. Today, we look to our gracious God to learn about “Stewardship that Surpasses Expectations”. Our sermon comes from 2 Corinthians 8.

Whether it comes slowly or suddenly, each of us must face death. It is the wages of sin. When it strikes someone in our own family, it is devastating. The daughter of a synagogue leader was deathly sick, and he went to Jesus for help. Jesus told him not to be afraid; just believe. Jesus listened to his request. Jesus went with him. Jesus did more than he asked and certainly more than he deserved. He showed his deep compassion to rescue from death. He does the same for us. “Trust Jesus for Life.” Our sermon comes from Lamentations 3.

Last year many were concerned that there might not be enough rain for the crops. This year people have said there is too much rain. There is so much about farming that is out of our control. Yet things will still grow. That is how God designed it. Plants will grow and God will provide our daily bread. Today, Jesus teaches us that the same is true of God's kingdom. Jesus' powerful Word will bring growth within us, around us, and all over. For this we give thanks and continue to pray, that “God's Kingdom Grows”. Our sermon today comes from Philippians 1.

He has been around since the beginning. The Bible describes him as a serpent, a lion, a dragon, a ruler. He is a powerful spirit that schemes to bring about desolation, deception and death throughout this world. The devil can do his worst. But it is not enough. The Lord promised to crush his head. Jesus came to tie him up. In Jesus, the victory is ours. “Satan is Bound to Lose.” Our sermon today comes from Revelation 20.

The Pharisees fed off of laws. They had set up hundreds of extra laws – many of them about the Sabbath – all thinking they could satisfy God by their own behavior. So, when Jesus' hungry disciples picked some grain on the Sabbath, the Pharisees accused them of unlawful working. Jesus was fed up with this attitude of legalism, which Christians still serve up today. Trying to please God with the law alone is a recipe for self-righteousness or despair. By the law, God craves complete holiness and will toss away anything less. Today, Jesus teaches the true meaning of the Sabbath and says to “Give Legalism a Rest”. Our sermon comes from Deuteronomy 5.

Just who is God? The highest heavens cannot contain him. His judgments are unsearchable and his paths beyond tracing out. Yet the Spirit, who was poured out on Pentecost and whose coming we celebrated last weekend, searches the deep things of God and makes known what God has freely given us. On this Trinity Sunday, we consider the One whom the Spirit leads us to trust. He is holy, and the whole earth is full of his glory. He is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who makes us heirs of glory. He brings us into his kingdom by water and the Spirit. Now and forever, "The Triune God Gives Us Life."

In the Easter season, we have heard Jesus promise his disciples over and over that he would send the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost, the wait was finally over. Like a powerful tidal wave, the Holy Spirit was poured out. He came to saturate Jerusalem with the message of the Savior. Jesus did and said so much that the apostle John would later surmise by the Spirit that the whole world would not have room for the books that could be written about Jesus' words and works. As we celebrate the festival of Pentecost once again today, we have “The Holy Spirit Sent with Testimony”. Our sermon comes from Ezekiel 37.

Now ascended to God's right hand, Jesus is interceding for us. What does that sound like? Today we get to listen in as Jesus prays to the Father on our behalf. John recorded one of his prayers in chapter 17 of his Gospel. We live in a dangerous world that hates followers of Jesus and what they stand for. They murdered Stephen just as they put Jesus himself to death. So, Jesus prays that we would overcome the world, that we would be “Protected by God's Powerful Name.” Our sermon comes from John 17. SHARE:

This weekend thirteen young people are confirmed in the faith. Though Confirmation is not commanded in Scripture, the occasion serves several good purposes. It is a celebration of the Holy Spirit's work in the hearts and lives of these teens, giving them faith and knowledge and growth in the Scriptures. It is also a public profession of faith by these young men and women, who are saved by God's grace in Christ alone. Confirmation is furthermore an acknowledgment that they are able to examine themselves and are prepared to receive the Sacrament of Communion. Finally, Confirmation includes a promise of the faithfulness Jesus calls for in Revelation 2:10 – Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Where else would we go? Jesus has the words of everlasting life. We are “Determined to Remain with the Lord”. Our sermon comes from John 6.

There are over 21,000 acres of cranberry marshes in the state of Wisconsin - more than any other state by far. That's a lot of fruit! Jesus says that anyone connected to him will bear much fruit. He was talking about the good works produced by believers that are deliciously sweet to God in heaven. On this 5th Sunday of the Easter season, Jesus teaches us about our new lives connected to him: "Living Branches Bear Much Fruit."

When people have a dog, they care for it much like a member of the family. They give it a name. They feed it. They take it on walks. They take it to the vet for shots. The dog is there for holidays and included in pictures and perhaps even goes along on vacations. Jesus reminds us today how much he cares for us as his sheep. He knows us, speaks to us, feeds us, and gives us rest. His love and care far surpass ours for a family pet. He was willing to lay down his life for us. We have the best Shepherd! “Our Risen Lord Shepherds Us.” Our sermon today comes from Acts 20.

When there are tornados touching down in our area, we take shelter. We go to an interior room with windows or to the basement and we hunker down. We know what it's like to be confined and cowering. The disciples were gathered behind locked doors and terrified of persecution. No matter what fears have us feeling trapped, Jesus comes to us today and offers the message of forgiveness, proof of his presence, and the confidence of eternal life in him. “Our Risen Lord Calls Out Peace.” Today's sermon comes from John 20.

If you would have known the construction workers on night shift at the Key Bridge in Baltimore earlier this week, and if you would have known that the bridge would be hit by a cargo ship early Tuesday morning, what would you have said? What would you have done? There are so many things in life that we don't know: what will happen tomorrow, whom we will meet throughout the rest of this year, when we will die. But we do know the most important thing. It brings certainty for us and hope for others and security for all time. It is this confidence in Christ that we join to celebrate today: “I Know that My Redeemer Lives.” Our sermon comes from Mark 16.

Today is the last day of school for a while. The kids are done for Easter break. Yet even when summer rolls around, things are only done for a time. School will resume in April. When we have vacations and time off, there is still more work eventually if not right now. Yet when Jesus died on Good Friday, he said "It is Finished!" And he meant it. Our sins are completely paid for. Heaven is won. Jesus sacrifice took away the sins of the world. This is not just a good day. It is a great day. It doesn't get any better. Our sermon today comes from Hebrews 7.

What a blessing it is to be together! Many families travel to be together this week. Jesus longed to be together with his disciples on Maundy Thursday. He modeled humble love by washing their feet. He shared a special meal with them. He instituted the sacrament of Communion to offer us his body and blood together with bread and wine for our forgiveness. He spoke of  the new covenant, which he would put into effect the next day at the cross. All this he did because he wanted to be together with us forever in the banquet hall of our Father in heaven. Today, we gather "Together at the Lord's Supper". Our sermon is from Psalm 116.

With March Madness this weekend, many people are cheering for their favorite team. As that team takes the court, there is so much hope in the initial rounds. Will they go all the way? Will they upset the higher seed? The bottom seeds might have a win or two. But there was no one as lowly as Jesus. He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. So humble. He came to endure the cross. So shameful. The crowds cheered him on. And he would win the greatest upset victory in history. Satan sent away. Death defeated. Our sin overturned. So today we join the people of Jerusalem to sing, “Hosanna to our King!” Our sermon comes from Mark 11.

Our Wednesday evening worship series this year is entitled “God on Trial”. As our society becomes increasingly secular, we Christians are more aware of the many ways that God and his people are judged. We will look at scenes from Jesus' trial during Holy Week and find forgiveness for ourselves, love for our enemies, strength for our faith, and courage to testify to the truth. Tonight's emphasis is on “Misconceptions”. Our sermon tonight comes from Luke 23.

Could you imagine picking all the corn in a 40-acre field by hand? That would take a long time and a lot of energy! Now imagine shucking all that corn and plucking off each individual kernel on your own. What painstaking work! We could picture every person in the world as a kernel of corn in a large field. They all need attention, and that takes manpower. Jesus is the Ruler of all and the Lord of the harvest. Today he asks for our prayers and encouragement for the next generation of pastors, teachers, staff ministers, and missionaries. There are billions people that need to hear the life-giving gospel. “Ask the Lord for Workers.” Our sermon today is from Matthew 9.

Spring training is in full swing. Baseball fans enjoy watching their favorite teams and players. As people watch games from home, it doesn't change how the players perform or affect the outcome of the game. They simply watch. Apart from anything we do, God loved the world and saves us and promises us life. This is how God gives us the save, the win, the trip home. This is faith. By the Holy Spirit, we simply fix the eyes of our heart on God's promises in his Son: “Look to Jesus in Faith.” Our sermon today is from Ephesians 2.